Narain: No special memory

Narain Karthikeyan says he has no special feelings about the US GP - adverse or positive - despite it yielding his sole points-scoring finish in F1...

Narain Karthikeyan says he has no special feelings about the US GP - adverse or positive - despite it yielding his sole points-scoring finish in F1.

Back in 2005 the Indian driver brought his Bridgestone-shod Jordan EJ15 home in fourth place in a United States GP that saw just six cars line-up on the grid. The other 14, all using Michelin tyres, retired after the parade lap due to safety concerns.

"I have no feeling about it," Karthikeyan told Reuters when reminded of that farcical race. "I have nothing much to say really.

"I don't think about it like that. It was exceptional circumstances and we were told to do a job and we did it.

"Everyone started the race... we didn't know before the race. It was pretty weird to see all of them going out with the warm-up lap and back to the pits. Bridgestone had told us to race and we did."

Formula One returned to Indianapolis for a further two seasons before the race was scrapped when the Indy bosses and Bernie Ecclestone failed to reach an agreement on a new deal.

Without a race for four years, America returns to the calendar this weekend as the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas host the United States GP.

And although Karthikeyan will be returning to America with HRT for a weekend, the 35-year-old has rubbished rumours that he could be there permanently next season.

"These Indy Car rumours came about and I've strongly said no and that's my decision," he said.

"I have very clear plans what I want to do next year and I will focus on that and try and achieve them.

"I would love to stay here and see how it shapes out next year... realistically this would be a good place to stay."